Tourism Promotions Bureau chief’s post to be advertised
View(s):The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotional Bureau (SLTPB) will place newspaper ads to fill the organisation’s top post, the tourism minister said.Tourism Minister John Amaratunga told the Business Times that currently the post of chairman was vacant since they have to “select the correct man” as it is a “crucial post.”
He noted that they would be advertising for a competent person with experience in advertising and promotion in this regard.
The minister pointed out that these matters in selecting a suitable candidate as SLTPB Chairman could not be rushed as they needed to appoint an “honest person.”
Asked why the minister himself did not make the appointment as in the case of the other posts, Mr. Amaratunga noted that this belonged to a different category for which they have to advertise and get a suitably qualified person to head the body.
Responding to the query on how the previous Minister had appointed a person to the post prior to the General Elections, Minister Amaratunga noted this would not happen during this time. “I follow the government regulation,” he said.
The post has been vacant since the past Chairman Rohantha Athukorala stepped down along with heads of all other tourism related institutions. Presently, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Chairman Paddy Vithana is acting as chairman of SLTPB.